Crisis Governance in Transition: Revisiting Theories, Rethinking Practice
In an age of cascading crises, from pandemics and climate emergencies to digital disruptions and geopolitical instability, the frameworks that guide our crisis management and governance practices are being profoundly tested.
This two-day conference explores a central question: Do traditional crisis management frameworks, models, and theories still equip us to understand and act effectively in today’s complex, interconnected crises?
Scholars and practitioners from across disciplines are invited to critically examine the validity and utility of classic frameworks, models, and theories of crisis governance and their limits in light of new forms of risk, uncertainty, and institutional strain. The program will feature keynote lectures, panel discussions, and practitioner sessions exploring topics such as adaptive governance, transboundary crises, trust and legitimacy, and the transformation of crisis leadership.
By bringing together theory and practice, the conference invites participants to consider how established frameworks, models, and theories can evolve, or be reimagined, to meet the demands of 21st-century crisis governance.
Call for presentations
The third edition of the Crisis Governance Meeting will put a special emphasis on “Crisis Governance in Transition: Revisiting Theories, Rethinking Practice”. It will take place on September 17 and 18, 2026, in Antwerp, Belgium. It provides a meeting ground and ample opportunity for exchange between researchers and practitioners, based on thoughtful and intriguing presentations.
This conference invites scholars and practitioners to reflect critically on the foundations of crisis governance. In recent years, the scale, speed, and interconnection of crises have transformed how societies govern under pressure. From global pandemics to climate emergencies, cybersecurity threats, and disinformation campaigns, crises today often defy traditional categories and challenge established models of preparedness, response, and recovery. Are the classic frameworks, models, and theories of crisis management — rooted in command-and-control, stability, and clear accountability — still adequate for today’s turbulent landscape? Or do new realities call for fundamentally different ways of thinking about power, coordination, knowledge, and trust?
Themes and Topics
Submissions may address (but are not limited to) the following themes:
- The evolution and endurance of crisis management theory
- Organizational resilience and adaptive governance
- Legitimacy, trust, and accountability during crises
- Transboundary and multi-level crisis management
- The politics of expertise, communication, and misinformation
- Learning from failure: institutional memory and post-crisis reform
- The role of digital technologies and AI in crisis decision-making
- Comparative perspectives on governance innovation in crises
Submission Guidelines
- Abstract length: 300–500 words
- Submission deadline: June 28, 5 pm CEST, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: July 15, 2026
Please send your abstract and a short biographical note (max. 150 words) to chair.crisisgovernance@uantwerpen.be
Selected presentations may result in a publication in a Crisis Issues paper series.
Your expertise at center stage
We are particularly excited to spotlight presentations from practitioners and academics eager to share interesting findings and actionable conclusions on the aforementioned domains.
Why present?
This is a unique opportunity to showcase your insights (and research) to an audience of peers and industry leaders. Spark transformative discussions that lead to future advancements in crisis governance. Your knowledge and experience are invaluable to the collective effort of shaping the future of crisis governance.
We are eager to learn from your experience, challenges, and visions at the third Annual Crisis Governance Meeting 2026. If you have any questions or require further details, please do not hesitate to contact Hugo (Hugo.Marynissen@uantwerpen.be) or Pieter (Pieter.Boghe@uantwerpen.be).
We are looking forward to your submission!
The event at a glance
- Thursday, September 17 & Friday, September 18, 2026
- Venue: , Boogkeers 5, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Theme: Crisis Governance in Transition: Revisiting Theories, Rethinking Practice
- Keynotes and presentations from practitioners and researchers
- A preliminary program will be communicated in July 2026.
Practical
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; Registration will open on June 1st
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; The registration fee is 180 euros (VAT not included), and it includes coffee & tea breaks, lunches, and access to the Annual Crisis Governance Meeting.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; If you want to present at the meeting, please submit an abstract of up to 500 words before June 28, 5:00 pm CEST, 2026.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; We have a maximum capacity of 60 participants; hence, we admit on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; The registrations will be closed on August 31, 2026.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; All presentations will be in person and in English.